How Non-Alcoholic Beer Reacts With Antabuse
First of all, non-alcoholic beer (NA beer) is not really totally free of alcohol. You will see it called “near beer” or “low-alcohol beer.” Typically, most brands of non-alcoholic beer on the market today contain about 0.5% alcohol. Antabuse is designed to cause anyone who drinks alcohol while taking it severe discomfort. By interfering with the normal metabolic process of alcohol, Antabuse can cause a wide range of symptoms from mild to very severe. When taking a therapeutic dose of Antabuse, consuming alcohol can result in a range of symptoms including nausea, vertigo, heart palpitations, and facial flushing. This response is proportionate to both the dose of Antabuse as well as the dose of alcohol.
Exposure to Non-Alcoholic Beer Can Trigger Temptation
Beyond the potential side effects of mixing non-alcoholic beer and Antabuse, people who have issues with alcohol should ideally stay away from these “near beer” products. Drinking non-alcoholic beer can trigger a craving for alcohol. The smell of the beer is especially a powerful trigger. If a person is struggling to maintain sobriety, this is a stimulation they should avoid. The small amount of alcohol in the near beer may be a problem as well in encouraging a relapse. Another factor is the social situation in which you drink the non-alcoholic beer. If you are socializing with friends who were your drinking buddies and they are drinking alcohol, it may be difficult to remain sober. To maintain your sobriety, most experts recommend breaking those patterns and staying out of that social situation. How might you react if your friends challenge you to have a sip of “real beer” or ridicule your choice of a non-alcoholic drink?
If Someone Says They Are Drinking Non-Alcoholic Beer When on Antabuse
One problem that family members face in trying to support their alcoholic relatives is that often they cannot respond to the actual circumstances because they are not being told the truth. One woman relates that her husband stopped drinking after a traffic crash and was using Antabuse to enforce his sobriety. However, he began drinking non-alcoholic beer. Soon, he was returning home appearing to have drunk alcohol but without the physical effects that Antabuse should produce. He was probably not taking the Antabuse and had likely returned to regular beer. This is fairly typical behavior for people with a substance or alcohol use disorder. Those who are truly addicted will do anything to protect their drug of choice and unfortunately, that includes lying to those who are the closest to them. Although their dishonesty causes them all kinds of problems at home as well as at work or school, it’s not as important to the person with the alcohol use disorder as being able to continue to drink.
A Word From Verywell
For friends and family members dealing with the sometimes confusing and frustrating behavior of an alcoholic or an addict, help, and support is available in Al-Anon Family Groups from others who are or have been in similar circumstances.
